Describes the happy and care-free life of a shepherd, with a constant refrain “Oh, I’m happy”. The original tragic English song is about two ravens surveying the aftermath of a battle, but the Welsh words are in complete contrast, despite the melody being in the minor key.

I’m the shepherd of Hafod y Cwm,
I sing cheerfully although I’m poor,
I have a wife and ten children
Living down in the hollow
Chorus: Tra la la, Oh I’m happy,
Tra la la la

The gentleman of Plas-Nant walks straight by,
He owns wealth, many hundred pounds,
But I am happier than he is,
Amidst my bleating flock

I and the children and Gwen my wife
Worship every Sunday at Capel y Graig,
And read the holy scriptures
Every night beside a roaring fire.

I climb the valley at daybreak,
To watch the flock on the big mountain,
And when the sun bows its head,
I can return home, a giant, to Gwen.

Gwilym Bowen Rhys has a version of the song in which he has three children rather than ten! Here he is as part of an international project, TOSTA, with musicians from all over Europe.

Gwilym’s version is a good example of how traditional folk songs develop. He sings the first two traditional verses, and has written two new verses for v3 and v4. You can see his lyrics in full with a translation here.